Kirchhoffer served as an Ensign in the Fenian raids in 1866 and subsequently was Captain of one of the Companies of the Port Hope (46th) Battalion.

Kirchhoffer also served on the Western Judicial District Board, representing Brandon and Dennis counties.

[2] He was called to the Senate on December 16, 1892, on the advice of John Sparrow David Thompson representing the senatorial division of Selkirk, Manitoba.

[4] Kirchhoffer was also a keen cricketer, representing Canada in a match against the United States on the Germantown Cricket Club Ground, Nicetown, Philadelphia in 1880, scoring one run and taking two catches in a drawn match.

In 1881 and 1882, Kirchhoffer captained Canadian International cricket teams which played against the United States.